They were both charged with one count of conspiracy to steal from their employer on 11 November last year.

Muturi pleaded guilty on Wednesday, and Reuben pleaded guilty on 18 January, both at hearings at the same court.

Between 1 January and 17 October 2013, Muturi and Reuben stole mobile phones which had been fraudulently ordered by an unknown person. In their position as delivery drivers for UK Mail, based in Milton Keynes, they intercepted the parcels, stole the phones and then passed them to an unknown person in exchange for payment.

The offences occurred in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.

The total amount of loss to the company was in excess of £40,000.

Designated investigator Darryl Morvan, based at Milton Keynes police station, said: “As His Honour Judge Sheridan quite rightly said, these persons held a position of trust and their actions undermined the foundation of public confidence in our postal system, which is that when you post something it is delivered.

“A company has suffered damage to its reputation and innocent members of the public whose details were used to fraudulently order the items, which were then stolen, have also had their reputations tarred.

“The investigation was complex and protracted and a custodial sentence was a just and appropriate measure which sends a message that this sort of crime will be investigated fully and that offenders will be dealt with accordingly.”